Cube Critics

Cube Critics Max Sparber and Aron Woldeslassie discuss a 1996 film shot in California but set in Minnesota and season four of “The Boys.”The following are capsule reviews edited from the audio heard using the player above.Click here. ‘Mary Jane’s Not a Virgin Anymore’“Mary Jane’s Not a Virgin Anymore,” a poignant film by the late Minnesota filmmaker Sarah Jacobson, is a rare gem from 1996 that occasionally surfaces in screenings. Though shot in California, the film is set in an independent movie theater in Minnesota, likely modeled after the Uptown Theater, with its characters dressed in the Uptown Theater uniform of skinny black ties and white shirts.The story centers around a teenage girl, played by Lisa Gerstein, who is coming to terms with her first sexual experiences and navigating complex friendships with her coworkers at the theater. These young characters, involved in adult-like escapades, embody the turbulent transition from youth to adulthood, often depicted through their late-night hangouts involvi

Cube Critics Max Sparber and Matt Mikus discuss a brand new ‘60s outlaw motorcyclist film and a film about really big robot that feels like it was written by a robot.Listen hereThe following are capsule reviews edited from the audio heard using the player above.‘The Bikeriders’“The Bikeriders,” directed by arthouse filmmaker Jeff Nichols, follows an outlaw bike gang in mid-60s Chicago. Based on the authentic photographs and recordings by Danny Lyons, the film has an unexpected authenticity, with detailed costumes and a vivid setting.Tom Hardy and Austin Butler lead the cast, with Hardy — who never needs that much encouragement to be incomprehensible onscreen — delivering an especially incomprehensibly thick Chicago accent. Butler, who played Elvis, gives his young biker role an Elvis-like broodiness; eventually, he just wanders away. Jodie Comer, narrating and starring, impresses with a thick accent so pronounced it borders on distraction.The film is episodic, telling of picnics, bar fights and escalating vio

Cube Critics Jacob Aloi and Kyra Miles discuss a home renovation show with a drag queen and a romance that wasn't very romantic.The following are capsule reviews edited from the audio heard using the player above.Click here. ‘Trixie Motel: Drag Me Home’This week, I tuned into “Trixie Motel: Drag Me Home,” featuring the fabulous Ojibwe Midwest drag queen, Trixie Mattel, who gained world fame not just for her drag performances but also as a YouTube star and cosmetics entrepreneur and especially as the winner of “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 3.”This series is a follow-up to her previous venture, “The Trixie Motel,” where she transformed a Palm Springs motel into a glamorous destination. In “Drag Me Home,” Trixie and her boyfriend of seven years tackle renovating their new house in Hollywood, infusing it with their unique style to create a shared space.The show is a delightful mix of home renovation adventures and sitcom-style sketches, complete with guest star cameos from the likes of Orville Peck and Nicole

Cube Critics Jacob Aloi and Aron Woldeslassie talk about a Shakespearean drama at a Renaissance Festival and a pretty good comedy special.The following are capsule reviews edited from the audio heard using the player above.Click here. ‘Ren Faire’“Ren Faire” is a three-part documentary series streaming on Max, which delves into the ongoing power struggle at the Texas Renaissance Festival, reputedly the largest in America. The series focuses on the festival's founder and long-time ruler, George Coulam, as he contemplates retirement after nearly five decades. What sets this documentary apart is its blend of actual documentary footage with staged reenactments and fantasy sequences, enhancing the real-life drama with elements reminiscent of cinema verité and fantasy epics like “Game of Thrones.”This creative approach not only enriches the narrative but also vividly captures the Shakespearean scope of the intrigues unfolding in Todd Mission, Texas. Highly recommended for its innovative style and engaging storyt

Cube Critics Alex V. Cipolle and Max Sparber discuss a show about women in comedy and a movie about an English coastal town rocked by a string of obscene letters.The following are capsule reviews edited from the audio heard using the player above.Click here. ‘Hacks, Season 3’The third season of “Hacks” on HBO Max continues to explore the comedic and sometimes contentious dynamics between different generations, especially highlighting the relationship between a boomer and a millennial. Jean Smart shines as Deborah Vance, a legendary Las Vegas comedian grappling with the threats of becoming irrelevant in the ever-evolving world of comedy. Paired with her is Ava, a young queer comedy writer portrayed with an awkward aplomb by Hannah Einbinder. Their forced partnership serves as the core of the show, driving much of its humor and heart.Set against the vivid backdrops of Las Vegas and Los Angeles, which almost become characters in their own right, the series delves into the contrasts between old and new, mainstrea

Cube Critics talk about “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” and “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.”

Cube Critics Jacob Aloi and Kyra Miles discuss an absurdist cartoon comedy for adults and a Regency simp pretending to be a player.

Cube Critics watch a movie that is a love letter to stunt performers and a film about a kidnapping where — oops, the kidnapped child is a vampire.

Cube Critics Regina Medina and Max Sparber discuss a miniseries about the killing of Lincoln and a psychedelic action film set in India.The following are capsule reviews edited from the audio heard using the player above.‘Manhunt’“Manhunt,” streaming on Apple TV+, is an engaging historical drama series that captures the intense pursuit of John Wilkes Booth following his assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. Styled as a 19th century version of the modern thriller “24,” the series substitutes advanced technology with the era’s horses and Morse code, adding a unique twist to the chase narrative.The series centers on Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, portrayed by Tobias Menzies of “Outlander” fame, who leads the manhunt with a deeply personal vendetta due to his admiration for Lincoln. Patton Oswalt adds a distinct flavor to the show, playing the head of a federal law enforcement agency and infusing his characteristic vibes into the historical setting.“Manhunt” employs a series of flashbacks that enrich the s

Cube Critics Jacob Aloi and Alex V. Cipolle discuss dystopian media.The following are capsule reviews edited from the audio heard using the player above.‘Fallout’“Fallout” is a new TV series on Amazon Prime, inspired by the beloved video game series of the same name. While I wasn’t deeply immersed in the Fallout games growing up — mostly watching friends play — I loved this series.“Fallout” unfolds in an alternate universe steeped in retro-futurism, where the narrative begins in the 2070s following a catastrophic nuclear fallout. The series fast-forwards 200 years post-disaster — we’re in a world where, quoting the franchise’s iconic phrase, “War, war never changes.”It follows a group of survivors navigating the harsh wasteland, trying to achieve various objectives. What’s particularly compelling about the show is its approach to storytelling; it doesn’t adapt any specific game or storyline from the Fallout series but offers an original narrative that seamlessly fits within the established world.— Jacob Aloi

Cube Critics Max Sparber and Alex V. Cipolle discuss a film about a Minnesota legend and … they really don’t know what.The following are capsule reviews edited from the audio heard using the player above.Click here.‘The Claw’This documentary should be distinguished from another recently reviewed title, “The Iron Claw,” a tragic look at a southern wrestling family. This is the Minnesota Nice version. “The Claw” is a heartwarming dive into the life of Jim Raschke, better known as Baron von Raschke, a prominent Minnesota wrestler from the American Wrestling Association’s classic era in the sixties and seventies. Known for his Teutonic superman persona and iconic crushing grip, Baron von Raschke is a figure I remember vividly, as he inspired post-viewing wrestling matches with my brothers.Full disclosure: “The Claw” is co-created by his son, Karl Raschke, whom I knew in college and features appearances by the Baron's daughter, Heidi, a senior producer here at MPR News. While I had a small part as an extra dur

Cube Critics Jacob Aloi and Max Sparber discuss a return to a 1980s franchise and an Estonian hard rock martial arts comedy.Click here.The following are capsule reviews edited from the audio heard using the player above.‘Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire’“Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” is a vintage continuation of the beloved franchise, directly following the 2021 sequel, “Ghostbusters: Afterlife.”This installment recaptures the spirit of the original 1980s series, featuring a plot where an ancient god resurfaces in modern times, aiming to conquer the world with an array of ghosts — a true nod to the franchise’s roots.The film transports viewers back to iconic New York settings, including the legendary Ghostbusters firehouse. It includes significant cameos from original cast members like Dan Aykroyd, who plays a major role, as well as Minnesota’s own Ernie Hudson. Fun and nostalgic, it evokes the feel of a summer blockbuster, making its release outside the summer season a pleasant surprise. “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empi

Cube Critics Max Sparber and Alex V. Cipolle discuss documentaries featured at the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival, “No One Asked You” and “The Fishing Hat Bandit.” Plus a web- and podcast-only extra roundtable of other MSPIFF films, featuring Alex V. Cipolle, Caitlyn Speier and Jacob Aloi.The following are capsule reviews edited from the the audio heard using the player above.Click here.‘No One Asked You’“No One Asked You” is a compelling documentary about Minneapolis-born comedian Lizz Winstead — and film captures a quintessentially Minnesotan moment as Winstead visits the State Fair and looks at seed art.Known for co-founding “The Daily Show” and co-creating Air America Radio where she introduced Rachel Maddow, Winstead has increasingly focused on reproductive rights and abortion access. The narrative follows her touring show across the country, featuring cameos from the likes of Mark Hamill in support of clinic efforts. Set against the backdrop of the looming overturn of Roe v. Wade, the

Cube Critics Jacob Aloi and Alex V. Cipolle review “Dream Scenario” and “Kung Fu Panda 4.”The following is a transcription of the audio heard using the player above, lightly edited for clarity.MPR News senior arts reporter and critic Alex V. Cipolle: “Dream Scenario.”MPR News arts reporter Jacob Aloi: (Simultaneously) “Kung Fu Panda 4.”Both: 3.2.1.Cipolle: Mystic.Aloi: (Simultaneously) Dustin Hoffman? I feel like Nic Cage has been in a movie with Dustin Hoffman. They’ve both been around for so long.Cipolle: But what about panda stuff?Aloi: Nic Cage seems like a guy who would do panda stuff. Anyway, I’m Jacob Aloi.Cipolle: Alex V. Cipolle.Aloi: And this is Cube Critics.Aloi: So, Alex, this week you watched a movie that stars Nicolas Cage. Tell me about it.Cipolle: Yeah, I watched “Dream Scenario.” It is a surreal dark comedy from A24, came out in theaters in November, but it just became available streaming — you can rent it on several platforms.So Nicolas Cage plays Paul, a kind of dorky and middling college p

Cube Critics Matt Mikus and Aron Woldeslassie review “Damsel” and “Love Lies Bleeding.”The following is a transcription of the audio heard using the player above, lightly edited for clarity.Click here.MPR News associate producer Aron Woldeslassie: Matt, I gotta ask: How did you end up surviving the two-day snowstorm?MPR News digital producer Matt Mikus: Eating lots of very warm food. Also had to shovel a lot which was kind of a pain.Woldeslassie: I’m Aron Woldeslassie. Mikus: I’m Matt Mikus. Woldeslassie: And this is Cube Critics.Matt, I’m told you watched a new film on Netflix.Mikus: Yeah, I got to see “Damsel.” It’s on Netflix. It’s basically a fantasy adventure kind of movie that flips the script in a way that’s really enjoyable. It stars Millie Bobby Brown as Elodie and basically, she’s a princess who agrees to a marriage to save their kingdom. It doesn’t really go into the details — you don’t need that. But what happens is, it turns out the marriage is just a ploy to throw her into a dragon’s lair to sat

Cube Critics Regina Medina and Alex V. Cipolle review “Shōgun” and “The Regime.”The following is a transcription of the audio heard using the player above, lightly edited for clarity.Click here.MPR News senior arts reporter and critic Alex V. Cipolle: Why did you want to watch this show in the first place? Like, what what drew you into it?MPR News correspondent Regina Medina: It wasn’t even the trailer. It was, like, what’s going on here?Cipolle: I’m Alex V. Cipolle.Medina: I’m Regina MedinaCipolle: And this is Cube Critics.Regina, what did you watch this week?Medina: I watched a show called “Shōgun” on Hulu, which is a 10-part miniseries that is based on the book by James Clavell called “Shōgun,” which was also a 1980s miniseries. It takes place in late 16th-century feudal Japan. And it’s a historical drama that is very sweeping and epic, and it involves political intrigue, and, really, to tell you the truth, I’m not grasping half of what’s going on here — but I love it.Hiroyuki Sanada, who you've seen i

Cube Critics Jacob Aloi and Kyra Miles disagree about Netflix’s live-action “Avatar: The Last Airbender.”The following is a transcription of the audio heard using the player above, lightly edited for clarity.Click here.MPR News reporter Jacob Aloi: You can say “half-assed,” “you can say “kick-ass,” you can say “worked my ass off,” you just can’t say [BEEP] like, or refer to your [BEEP]. And with that, my name is Jacob Aloi. MPR early education reporter Kyra Miles: And I’m Kyra Miles.Aloi: And this is Cube Critics.So Kyra Miles, thank you for coming back on Cube Critics. This week we both watched the live-action adaptation of “Avatar: The Last Airbender” on Netflix. It’s adapted from the beloved animated series of the same name, which tells the story of Aang, The Last Airbender, who is picked as this mystical sort-of shaman sort-of otherworldly being called The Avatar, who is destined to save the world from being overtaken by the Fire Nation. Miles: Boo!Aloi: Yes, boo the Fire Nation, they are an imperial Forc

Cube Critics Alex V. Cipolle and Aron Woldeslassie discuss the final season of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and a new comedy special from Jenny Slate.The following is a transcription of the audio heard using the player above, lightly edited for clarity. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cube-critics/id525807831?mt=2MPR News senior reporter and critic Alex V. Cipolle: Richard Lewis recently passed. And he is, crazy enough, buried in Roseville.MPR associate producer Aron Woldeslassie: Do we know his Minnesota connection? Did he just enjoy the city of Roseville?Cipolle: I would love that. I think his wife is originally from here and bought plots there.Woldeslassie: Okay, I’m imagining him going to the AMC and going like I gotta get buried here. It’s so good.Cipolle: I’m Alex V. Cipolle. Woldeslassie: And I’m Aron Woldeslassie.Cipolle: And this is Cube Critics.Speaking of Richard Lewis, I am currently watching the final season of “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” the brainchild of Larry David, who is the co-creator of “Seinf

Cube Critics Max Sparber and Aron Woldeslassie discuss a quirky Ethan Coen film, “Drive-Away Dolls” and a unique adaptation of “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” as a series; plus, performer Bill Irwin’s deep dive into Samuel Beckett’s legacy, connecting vaudeville to the playwright’s profound influence.The following is a transcription of the audio heard using the player above, lightly edited for clarity.Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or RSS.MPR Arts Editor Max Sparber: Aron, “Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” the movie, starred Angelina Jolie, didn’t it?MPR Associate Producer Aron Woldeslassie: And Brad Pitt, but she carries it. Sparber: And the movie that I saw is a Coen Brothers film, who also wrote a movie for Angelina Jolie. So that’s kind of the theme for this weekend. Woldeslassie: Oh, yeah. Angelina Jolie-adjacent. I enjoy that. Sparber: And with that, I’m Max Sparber Woldeslassie: And I’m Aron Woldeslassie.Sparber: And this is Cube Critics.Aron, I watched a film called “Drive-Away Dolls,” in theaters now. It’s

Cube Critics Jacob Aloi and Sam Stroozas discuss “Madame Web” and “The Iron Claw.”The following is a transcription of the audio heard using the player above, lightly edited for clarity.Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or RSS.MPR News Art Reporter Jacob Aloi: This movie was so horrible, like I can’t even like begin to describe how much I hated this movie, and I paid money to see it. And with that, my name is Jacob Aloi. MPR News Digital Producer Sam Stroozas: And I’m Sam Stroozas. Aloi: And this is the Cube Critics.So. Sam, this week I saw “Madame Web,” which is the newest addition to the Sony Spider-Man universe. Now, this is not part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It’s produced by Sony and made by Sony. And the reason why it’s not part of the MCU is because there’s some legal dealings with who owns the rights to who can make movies about Spider-Man and characters associated with Spider-Man. So anyway, this is part of the “Venom” universe, the horrible “Morbius” movie that’s part of this univer